How to Play AVI in QuickTime Player on macOS

If you’ve tried to play AVI files on Mac before, you know that doesn’t turn out well.

You may know that AVI files were first created as VFW (Video For Windows), and seems to work smoothly on PC. But doesn’t end up working well with Mac’s native multimedia player, QuickTime Player.

And although QuickTime Player is a convenient, simple to use option for light media usage, its feature restrictions and compatibility limitations are undeniable, especially to advanced multimedia users.

What exactly is an AVI file and can QuickTime play AVI?

AVI stands for Audio Video Interleave and it’s basically an open source multimedia container format. It defines how video and audio data is packed into a file. It allows for simultaneous playback between the interleaved audio and video in the file.

So, a lot of issues that come from AVI playback on Mac, stem from the lack of codec support on QuickTime Player.

You see, codecs aren’t found in the AVI file itself. Rather, it’s part of the player medium that’s used, such as QuickTime Player.

Unless you have an app that has proper codecs to play AVI files, you movies won’t play.

Right Codecs = Play AVI in QuickTime

If you want to use QuickTime Player to play your movies, you first have to find the right codec.

You can do this by following these simple steps:

1. Open "File" in QuickTime Player.

2. Select "Show Movie Info" from the Window menu.

Here, you’ll find all the information on formats and supported codecs.

If your version of QuickTime Player doesn’t support that specific codec package, then you can check on their official website and see if they offer any support for the codec you’re looking for.

Once installed, you no longer need to download other plug-ins or components to play the AVI file.

But even with the relative ease of it all, it can still get pretty annoying.

That’s why most people don’t go through all this trouble to get their AVI files to work on QuickTime Player. Rather, they opt for an easier solution, a third party multimedia player that supports all media files, including AVI.

Elmedia Player - Play AVI on Mac with best QuickTime player alternative

Elmedia Player is a top choice for moderate to heavy multimedia users on Mac. Why?

It provides the most convenient solution to play AVI files effortlessly on your Mac.

It requires no additional codecs, plug-ins, components and file conversions, because of its built-in AVI support.

Completely free, no hassle and no headaches. Just download and start using.

2. Run the player on your Mac.

It’s very easy to play the videos right away. Simply choose one of the convenient ways to add AVI files to the Elmedia Player library.

Choose your AVI file(s) and drop it onto the Elmedia window or it’s icon on the Dock

Right click your AVI file in Finder and select “Open With” option and click on Elmedia Player. Open the file

In the Elmedia Player, click “File” and “Open…”

And the most important step you can’t forget…

3. ENJOY!

Now, you may be satisfied with all the benefits Elmedia Player provides, you might be looking for more. And most people find they want to experience more as well. A higher quality multimedia experience, with unlimited possibilities and options.

That’s why you may be interested in Elmedia Player PRO, the improved paid version of Elmedia Player. With it, you can unlock even more features that will turn watching AVI on Mac into an unforgettable experience.

Select “Apple” for the output format and desired resolution. You can also select MOV format (Apple’s QuickTime format).

Click “Convert”.

Download the converted file and click to play.

Your file will automatically play in QuickTime Player.

Simple as that!

If that still doesn’t work, then you might want to try this:

Try Installing an Older Version of QuickTime 7

You see, each macOS version has a different embedded structure for QuickTime. And each one supports playing a small number of video and audio codecs to be compatible with that OS.

Why would you want to download an older version of QuickTime Player?

Because of its support for older Mac devices, it contains a certain codec structure that you can’t get in QuickTime Player for macOS Catalina, for example. The very ones needed in order to play AVI and other non-Mac files.

With tons of benefits and features, it’s easily a top choice for the majority of macOS users, serious about their multimedia content.

You can easily play AVI files on Mac with Elmedia Player PRO, without the need for codec packs and downloading additional components. This makes this player the most convenient and easiest way to consume all your AVI files without the hassle of converting, downloading plug-ins and all the rest of it.

As discussed earlier, QuickTime is Apple’s default multimedia player for Mac. So, yes, it does have the ability to open AVI files and run them, but it’s not likely because of the lack of codecs offered in the player package. It simply lacks the robust format options that other players like Elmedia Player PRO offers.

Elmedia has a ton of supported formats and it’s all built-in without having to hassle with extra downloads, clogging up disc space on your Mac.

It truly is the best all-in-one solution for playing AVI files on your Mac, like no other player you’ve ever used.

You’ll indulge in a viewing experience that’ll be hard to find anywhere else.

An AVI file uses less compression to store files but takes up a lot more space than many of the other popular formats such as MOV and MPEG.

However, if uncompressed, this makes AVI files “lossless”. This basically means AVI files can be very substantially large. It’s a question you may have to ask yourself: are you willing to trade up disc space for the benefits of AVI file format?

If yes, you can rest assured that although lossless, your files will retain their quality over time and allow repeated playback without the use of additional codecs.